Mosley is terrific in coverage and when translating backers to the present day NFL, that's as important as anything. He also happens to tackle a lot of people which is good as well. Potential top 10 selection.

Does he rush the passer? If not, then there is no reason for him to be even a first round pick as a LBer.

The only exceptions I would make for a non-pass-rushing LBer in the first round is the Patrick Willis, Brian Urlacher type who is literally a freak athlete AND a great player, AND has high character.

CJ Mosley needs to not only be a beast for Alabama this year, but he needs to be at least 6'3", 250lbs, and run a 4.4 40 and kill the rest of the combine for me to even consider him as a first round pick.

Otherwise, it's a wasted pick, because non-pass-rushing LBer is the least important or impactful position on defense.

Does he rush the passer? If not, then there is no reason for him to be even a first round pick as a LBer.

The only exceptions I would make for a non-pass-rushing LBer in the first round is the Patrick Willis, Brian Urlacher type who is literally a freak athlete AND a great player, AND has high character.

CJ Mosley needs to not only be a beast for Alabama this year, but he needs to be at least 6'3", 250lbs, and run a 4.4 40 and kill the rest of the combine for me to even consider him as a first round pick.

Otherwise, it's a wasted pick, because non-pass-rushing LBer is the least important or impactful position on defense.

You remember Luke Kuechly? Top 10 pick ILB.
It's very conceivable Mosley is a a top 20/first round pick, but he needs to have a standout final season for the Tide AND put up outstanding numbers at Indy.

He doesn't need to be a HOF type prospect like Patrick Willis or Urlacher to be taken in the first round as a MIKE.

Does he rush the passer? If not, then there is no reason for him to be even a first round pick as a LBer.

The only exceptions I would make for a non-pass-rushing LBer in the first round is the Patrick Willis, Brian Urlacher type who is literally a freak athlete AND a great player, AND has high character.

CJ Mosley needs to not only be a beast for Alabama this year, but he needs to be at least 6'3", 250lbs, and run a 4.4 40 and kill the rest of the combine for me to even consider him as a first round pick.

Otherwise, it's a wasted pick, because non-pass-rushing LBer is the least important or impactful position on defense.

There's no reason to draft a three down linebacker who excels in coverage? The tight end position has taken off in recent years and having a guy who can neutralize those guys is just as important as any player in the pass defense.

Does he rush the passer? If not, then there is no reason for him to be even a first round pick as a LBer.

The only exceptions I would make for a non-pass-rushing LBer in the first round is the Patrick Willis, Brian Urlacher type who is literally a freak athlete AND a great player, AND has high character.

CJ Mosley needs to not only be a beast for Alabama this year, but he needs to be at least 6'3", 250lbs, and run a 4.4 40 and kill the rest of the combine for me to even consider him as a first round pick.

Otherwise, it's a wasted pick, because non-pass-rushing LBer is the least important or impactful position on defense.

Mosley should be a mid to late first round guy. That's about where the top 'non pass rush' LBs should go.

CJ would have been worthy of a first this year. And even in 2012. He's a quality LB prospect already and his measurables would have separated him from the entire field in the 2013 draft. There is no reason to think those will evaporate. And I'm pretty sure Alabama is going to return enough talent for Mosley to be featured in a dominant defense.

Fast LBs can have a direct impact in the NFL. One of the main reasons teams are switching to 3-4 defenses is that configuration affords greater flexibility needed to evolve to the new offensive paradigms. But it's not the only way. Seattle runs a 4-3 hybrid which is to say, we run a 3-4 defense with 4-3 personnel. Speed is key for it's success. Not size.

Mosley is a prospect in the mold of the new NFL. He's exceptionally fast and enhances that with excellent instincts. He won't fit or look as good in a prototypical 3-4 on the inside.

This past draft was flat out awful for LBs with speed. One would have hoped for more with Ogletree and Greene having been converted safeties. Seattle has 5 LBs on it's roster all faster than either of them and by a wide margin. Despite an opening for a WLB, we ignored this pool entirely and I suspect it was all due to a lack of speed.

Being able to have a guy who doesn't need to be subbed in passing situations is critical in stopping today's offenses such as the two TE approach, read option etc

Let's play nickle against the Pats and Gronk will dominate smaller guys, or they will just run the ball down your throat.

Load up on pass rushers against Washington and RG3 and Morris will run read option all day until the DEs and safeties start playing against the run then play action kills them.

The 49ers are so good defensively because they don't need to sub Willis or Bowman. If you have a guy who can be great in run support while also playing good coverage then it opens up your defensive playbook

But seriously, he's not elite. But he's certainly better than anyone in last year's crop. Right now he's unquestionably the best LB in the nation, and he can do basically anything. 5-15 range. Personally I'd put him in the latter part of that range.